Almost a year passed since Martha’s release from the hospital and still nothing had happened between her and Trevor. Being as it was the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Trevor was awaiting the arrival of his little sister Ashley, who would spend the holiday with him. To pass time, Trevor went over to Martha’s house, as had become his habit that semester. They sat engrossed in conversation when Martha asked the pivotal question.

“If you had feelings for me, would you tell me?” she posed to Trevor. Completely taken aback by the question, and knowing the import of it, he shifted his weight on the couch, as he sat across from Martha, looking at her still. If Martha did not have feelings for him, his answer could destroy their friendship, something that was far too important to him.

“No,” he said hesitantly, “I probably wouldn’t because I would be afraid of losing you. Would you tell me if you had feelings for me?” he asked Martha in return.

Just as when the question had been posed to Trevor, Martha became nervous and gave the same answer. What could this have meant? Was it that neither had feelings, did one have feelings, or were they both secretly interested in the other?

“Would you like to know why I stopped pursuing you two years ago?” Trevor asked Martha.

“Of course,” she answered.

“Because people were trying to help me. . . telling me what to do, what to say and when. I realized that if you were to love me, I wanted it to be of your own accord not because of some high school trickery.”

Just then, as if the fates were against them, Trevor’s phone rang. Ashley had arrived in town and was waiting for him at his apartment. Trevor quickly sprang to his feet and ran home to greet his little sister. The moment had passed.

Thanksgiving came and went. There was no chance to continue that conversation during the holiday. Both were left wondering if they had understood things correctly. Was it really possible that each had feelings? What if they had grossly misunderstood the tones of the conversation? Could it be that only great disappointment lay in wait for them?

After church that following Sunday, Martha came over to Trevor’s house for dinner. It can be assumed that her intention was to continue that conversation. Sadly, they were always surrounded by Trevor’s roommates.

The evening passed, uneventful. Being that it was dark, Trevor walked Martha home at the end of the evening. Even at the approach of her door, nothing happened. The two parted as usual with a hug and general wishes for a good night.

What Martha didn’t know is that she had left her phone at Trevor’s apartment, or rather, Trevor had hidden her cell phone at his apartment. He had thought that Martha would realize that she had left her phone at his apartment.

Dutifully, Trevor returned to Martha’s apartment with the cell phone in hand. The two exchanged some brief laughter at the doorstep. Then, Martha invited Trevor into her apartment to sit and talk for a bit.

Trevor entered. The both took up their seats on the living room couches, sitting across the room from the other as was customary. In a moment of silence, they sat peering at each other’s face, not knowing where to go or what to say at that moment.

After taking in a last gulp of air, they proceeded forward. The truth finally came to light. There was no more repressing it. From that day forward, Martha and Trevor were together.